Impact of patient age on outcome following bladder-preserving treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of patient age on outcome following bladder-preserving treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: This study examined 491 patients treated with transurethral resection and/or intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for primary NMIBC at our institution between 1985 and 2005. The patients' age at treatment was classified into categories of younger than 50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years or older. Recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Tumors of broad-based, multiple, and higher grades were more frequent with increasing patient age. Intravesical BCG therapy was less frequently performed on elderly patients. At a median follow-up of 45 months, patients 80 years or older had the lowest recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival among the age groups (log-rank P < 0.001 and P = 0.019, respectively). On Cox proportional hazard model, age was an independent risk factor for tumor recurrence and progression after controlling for all confounding variables. The recurrence risk was 2.3 times higher for patients 80 years or older than those aged 60-69 years (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Older age adversely affected the outcome of patients with NMIBC, which is particularly apparent in patients 80 years or older. Further prospective studies to confirm these findings are warranted.

[Primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma: a case report].

A 78-year-old female complained high fever and vomiting. The ultrasonographic examination revealed a giant tumor above the left kidney. She was referred to our hospital for further examinations and treatments. Radiographic examination showed a solid mass of 10 cm in diameter, smooth surface, and sharply-delimited, above the left kidney corresponding to the left adrenal gland. Other organs showed no evidence of disease. Hormonal examination was normal. She was diagnosed as left non-functioning adrenal tumor, and underwent surgery. The resected specimen was 11 x 10 x 7 cm, 460 g with a part of normal adrenal tissue on the surface. Histopathological examination revealed it as leiomyosarcoma. She has no evidence of disease twenty months after the operation. Primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, there were only 22 reported cases including ours in the English and Japanese literature.

PSA at postoperative three months can predict biochemical recurrence in patients with pathological T3 prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prognostic factors and determine which pT3 prostate cancer patients can be safely followed up after surgery without any adjuvant treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 106 patients with pT3 prostate cancer. All preoperative and postoperative parameters, including the postoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at 3 months after surgery, were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 18 months. The overall biochemical recurrence-free rate was 53.7% and 34.1% at 12 and 36 months, respectively. On univariate analysis, all preoperative clinical factors were significantly correlated with biochemical progression. On multivariate analysis, pathological Gleason score, pathological stage and postoperative PSA were significant predictors. Among those with undetectable PSA after surgery, 38 patients (88.4% of 43) did not have disease progression during the follow-up period. On the other hand, of the 27 patients with detectable PSA that was not defined as progressive (range 0.01-0.20), 22 (81.5%) had biochemical disease progression. The progression free probability was significantly different between these two groups (P-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: pT3 prostate cancer patients showing low pathological Gleason score, without seminal vesicle invasion, and undetectable postoperative PSA values have low probability of PSA progression. Careful follow up including periodic PSA assessment and clinical observation represents an adequate strategy in the management of these patients.

Applicability of blunt renal trauma classification of Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma (JAST).

OBJECTIVES: The Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma (JAST) classification is widely applied to select strategies in the treatment of blunt renal trauma in Japan. We retrospectively investigated the applicability of the JAST classification. METHODS: The JAST classification comprises type I (subcapsular), type II (superficial), type III (deep) and pedicle vessel traumas. According to these criteria, we reviewed 70 patients with blunt renal trauma (types I, II, III and PV; n = 23, 22, 22 and 3, respectively) who were admitted to our institution between 1991 and 2007. RESULTS: All patients with type I trauma were managed conservatively and three patients with PV trauma underwent nephrectomy. Whereas two patients with underlying acquired cystic disease of the kidney underwent nephrectomy among type II trauma, the other patients were treated conservatively. As four patients with type III trauma underwent nephrectomy, injury type subclass and hemorrhage severity were significant prognostic factors indicating the need for nephrectomy in this group. Since we introduced transcatheter arterial embolization in 1999, none of our patients have needed nephrectomy due to a hemorrhage, but one patient underwent nephrectomy because of persistent urine leakage. CONCLUSION: Injury type and the hemorrhage severity are useful for determining treatment strategy. After the introduction of transcatheter arterial embolization, the proportion of nephrectomies due to exsanguination decreased and urine leakage also seems to be more important as a prognostic factor.

[Giant paraurethral leiomyoma in the female: a case report].

We report a case of giant paraurethral leiomyoma weighing more than 100 g in a 19-year-old woman. She had been complaining of micturition pain and a mass at the external genitals. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 5 cm mass surrounding the urethra, which appeared low intensity on T1-weighted images and higher intensity than that of the surrounding muscles in the pelvis on T2-weighted images. Biopsy was performed and the pathological diagnosis was leiomyoma. The mass was removed transvaginally and transperitoneally, which did not invade to urethra or vaginal wall. The resected specimen exhibited 8 x 7.5 x 3.6 cm in size and 105 g in weight. Pathological diagnosis was leiomyoma with no invasion to surrounding tissue. This is the 132nd case of female paraurethral leiomyoma in Japan, and there were only five cases (6%) of giant paraurethral leiomyoma weighing more than 100 g. We discuss the clinical and pathological features of this disease.

[A case of neonatal testicular torsion].

An infant normally delivered at the 38th week of gestation was referred to our department one day after birth for a firm and painless right hemiscrotal mass with bluish coloration. Since contralateral scrotum showed swelling, we performed emergency surgery on that day. The right spermatic cord was constricted due to extravaginal torsion, and degree and direction of torsion was unclear since the spermatic cord was already organized. Right testis showed irreversible necrotic change, requiring orchiectomy. We confirmed that left testis was intact and performed orchidopexy. Since high incidence of contralateral asymptomatic torsion has been reported in patients with prenatal testicular torsion, emergency surgery should be considered when contralateral scrotum shows abnormal findings.

Intravesical instillation therapy with bacillus Calmette-Guérin for superficial bladder cancer: study of the mechanism of bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy.

AIM: In order to clarify the initial step of the mechanism by which bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) exhibits antitumor activity via the immune response induced in the bladder submucosa after intravesical BCG therapy for human bladder cancer, various cytokines secreted in the urine after BCG instillation were measured. METHODS: After transurethral resection of bladder cancer, a 6-week course of BCG instillation was performed. At the first and sixth weeks' dosings, spontaneously excreted urine was collected before and 4, 8, and 24 h after BCG instillation. The urinary cytokines were determined by Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and IL-12. RESULTS: After the BCG therapy, various cytokines, such as GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, G-CSF, IL-1beta, IL-8, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 were secreted, comprising the immune response cascade. The mean urinary excretions of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha 4 h after the sixth week's instillation were significantly higher than the pre-instillation levels. There were no significant increases in the urinary IFN-gamma or IL-12 levels between 4 and 24 h after the sixth week's instillation. The TNF-alpha level 4 h after the sixth week's instillation had a strong tendency towards the absence of recurrence, with a mean follow-up of 54.1 months. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed the 2, 5, and 10-year recurrence-free survival rates were 72.4%, 65.8%, and 56.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We suggested that the urinary levels of TNF-alpha might be essential in antitumor activity after BCG therapy and might play an important role in the prevention of bladder tumor recurrence.

[Efficacy of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin for carcinoma in situ of bladder].

Three months after an initial 6-week course ofintravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) given between January 1990 and March 2005, 94 (90%) out of 104 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder achieved a complete response (CR). The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free rates were 67 and 60%, respectively (median follow-up 42 months). Three months after a second course ofintravesical BCG given to 23 patients who failed the initial induction course for CIS was evaluated. Of these, 96% achieved a CR, and the 5- and 10-year recurrence-free rates were 56 and 28%,respectively (median follow-up 23 months). Only one patient who received a second course of BCG therapy showed disease progression. Two of the 4 patients with BCG-refractory CIS of the bladder achieved CR after intravesical gemcitabine therapy and maintained a tumor-free status beyond 6 months. Five of the 16 patients showing disease progression had upper urinary tract cancer, 4 had recurrent or muscle invasive bladder cancer, 6 had prostatic involvement of CIS, and one patient had urethral recurrence. Three of the 16 patients died. Bladder preservation was achieved in 97 of the 104 patients, although 7 patients ultimately underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for aggressive disease. In conclusion, some patients may be managed safely by repeated endoscopic resection and intravesical therapy with cystectomy postponed until objective evidence of progression exists.

[Treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory superficial bladder cancer: further intravesical therapy].

We here report our clinical experience with salvage therapy for patients with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-refractory superficial bladder cancer and discuss current approaches to the disease, especially focusing on bladder preservation. First, we evaluated the efficacy of an initial 6-week course of intravesical BCG in 93 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. Of these, 91% achieved a complete response (CR) at the evaluation at 3 months. The 2- and 5-year recurrence-free rates were 71 and 67%, respectively (mean follow-up 39 months). These results support the intravesical BCG as a first-line therapy for CIS. Next, we assessed the efficacy of a second course of intravesical BCG for 16 patients who failed the initial induction course for CIS. Of these, 94% achieved CR at the evaluation at 3-month, and the 2- and 5-year recurrence-free rates were 62 and 46%, respectively (mean follow-up 28 months). None of the patients who received a second course had disease progression. Thus, a second course of BCG therapy seems to be a reasonable option for CIS patients failing the initial course. We also report our initial experience with intravesical gemcitabine therapy for 3 patients with BCG-refractory CIS of the bladder and 1 patient with recurrent multiple tumors. Gemcitabine (1500 mg in 100 ml saline) was given in the bladder for 1 hour twice weekly for a total of 12 treatments. The treatment was associated with minimal bladder irritation and systemic absorption, and was well tolerated except in a 90-year-old man who discontinued therapy because of grade 2 toxicity. Two patients achieved CR and maintained a tumor-free status beyond 14 months, suggesting that the intravesical gemcitabine is a promising salvage therapy for BCG-refractory superficial bladder cancer.

[A case of renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation].

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation in a 28-year old woman. The patient was referred to our hospital with a complaint of left lumbargo. Laboratory data were within normal limits. Radiography (KUB) suggested a calcification in the left kidney and abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan confirmed the presence of a renal mass which contained a calcification. Selective renal angiography revealed a hypervascular (microaneurysm-like change) tumor at the lower part of the kidney. Left nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation (clear cell carcinoma, G1 > G2, pT1b). There has been neither metastasis nor any recurrence during the 7 months since her operation.